North Carolina road trips
Best Road Trips in North Carolina
20 popular North Carolina drives with distance, driving time, EV-friendliness and gas cost at the state's estimated $3.15/gal.
Editor's picks
Top North Carolina Drives Right Now
Curated short-distance North Carolina routes — the most popular, lowest-cost picks.
Charlotte, NC → Raleigh, NC
165 mi · 2.5 h · ~$19 gas
Atlanta, GA → Asheville, NC
195 mi · 3.1 h · ~$22 gas
Asheville, NC → Charlotte, NC
118 mi · 1.9 h · ~$13 gas
Atlanta, GA → Charlotte, NC
245 mi · 3.7 h · ~$28 gas
Washington, DC → Raleigh, NC
275 mi · 4.4 h · ~$31 gas
Charlotte, NC → Columbia, SC
101 mi · 1.6 h · ~$11 gas
Our North Carolina road trip ranking method
Routes are ranked by traveler popularity between North Carolina metros and major destinations, with distance, driving time and current $3.15/gal fuel cost calculated for every drive.
- Distance: city-center to city-center with a 1.18× road-curvature factor.
- Fuel cost: 28 MPG baseline × $3.15/gal North Carolina regular.
- Popularity: traveler-intent signals between major North Carolina origins and destinations.
- EV practicality: regional DC fast-charging coverage flagged per route.
Boston → Raleigh
The headline North Carolina road trip — 719 miles, about 11.6 hours of driving and roughly $81 in gas at $3.15/gal.
More top North Carolina drives (19)
New York → Asheville
687 mi · ~11.1 h · ~$77 gas
Open tripNew York → Charlotte
626 mi · ~10.1 h · ~$70 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Asheville
593 mi · ~9.6 h · ~$67 gas
Open tripNew York → Wilmington
586 mi · ~9.5 h · ~$66 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Charlotte
531 mi · ~8.6 h · ~$60 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Wilmington
500 mi · ~8.1 h · ~$56 gas
Open tripNew York → Raleigh
499 mi · ~8.0 h · ~$56 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Asheville
488 mi · ~7.9 h · ~$55 gas
Open tripWashington → Asheville
448 mi · ~7.2 h · ~$50 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Charlotte
430 mi · ~6.9 h · ~$48 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Charlotte
428 mi · ~6.9 h · ~$48 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Asheville
427 mi · ~6.9 h · ~$48 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Wilmington
422 mi · ~6.8 h · ~$47 gas
Open tripPhiladelphia → Raleigh
407 mi · ~6.6 h · ~$46 gas
Open tripPittsburgh → Raleigh
390 mi · ~6.3 h · ~$44 gas
Open tripWashington → Charlotte
389 mi · ~6.3 h · ~$44 gas
Open tripWashington → Wilmington
386 mi · ~6.2 h · ~$43 gas
Open tripBaltimore → Raleigh
315 mi · ~5.1 h · ~$35 gas
Open tripWashington → Raleigh
275 mi · ~4.4 h · ~$31 gas
Open tripBest driving cost routes in North Carolina
Top North Carolina road trips with gas, distance and driving time at the state's estimated $3.15/gal.
Cheapest North Carolina road trips
Short, low-fuel-cost drives — great for a weekend trip from North Carolina.
Long-distance road trips from North Carolina
500+ mile drives for cross-country and multi-day road trip planning.
Drives in neighboring states
Cross-state routes near North Carolina — South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia.
Gas prices in North Carolina
Estimated regular at $3.15/gal · premium $3.80 · diesel $3.60.
Best vehicles for North Carolina drivers
- Best hybridToyota Prius57 MPG
- Best EVLucid Air134 MPGe
- Best SUVNissan Rogue33 MPG
- Best truckFord Maverick26 MPG
Commute cost in North Carolina
Daily driving cost estimates for major North Carolina-area cities.
EV vs gas in North Carolina
Compare driving cost of an EV vs a gas car for North Carolina trips and commutes.
Neighboring state road trip hubs
FAQ
What's the best time of year for a North Carolina road trip?
Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable driving weather across most of North Carolina. Coastal and southern routes are pleasant year-round; mountain routes are best between late spring and early fall.
How much does a North Carolina road trip cost in fuel?
At North Carolina's estimated $3.15/gal and 28 MPG, expect roughly $11.25 per 100 miles. Each route below includes a detailed estimate.
Is North Carolina EV-friendly for road trips?
Yes — most popular North Carolina routes have solid DC fast-charging coverage. Check our EV-friendly routes collection for the strongest picks.
How accurate are these distances?
Distances are calculated from city centers using a road-curvature factor of about 1.18 over straight-line distance. Real-world mileage varies by route choice and traffic.